HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. R21-24RESOLUTION NO. R21 -24
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
REQUEST A TRAFFIC STUDY FOR A PORTION OF WEST MAIN STREET
WITHIN THE CITY OF LAUREL.
WHEREAS, City Staff has recommended the Mayor and City Council consider
requesting a traffic study on West Main Street, from the intersection of 4th Avenue to the
900 Block of West Main Street to determine if a lower speed limit is appropriate as well as
installing a four way stop at West Main Street and 5th Avenue due to high traffic volume at
the intersection; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor met with Staff and determined that a traffic study is
appropriate and necessary due to the City's growth and increased traffic in the areas
identified by Staff; and
WHEREAS, based on the recommendations of the City Staff and Mayor, the City
Council has determined requesting a traffic study for the area identified herein is in the
City's best interest at this time.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel,
Montana, that the Mayor is hereby requested and authorized to submit a written request to
the Montana Department of Transportation ("MDOT") on the City's behalf, requesting a
traffic study that is consistent with the recommendations from City Staff which are attached
hereto and incorporated herein.
Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on April 13, 2021 by Council
Member Wilke.
PASSED and APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana this
13th day of April 2021.
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 13th day of April 2021.
CITY OF LAUREL
Thomas C Nelson, Mayor
ATT
Bethany L v, lerk/Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Q— - -C . .
Sam S. Pai er, Civil rty Attorney
R21-24 West Main Street Traffic Study Request
CITY HALL
115 W. IST ST.
PLANNING: 628-4796 Ulf Y IL
WATER OFC.: 628-7431
COURT: 628-1964 P.O. Box 10
FAX 628-2241 Laurel, Montana 59044
January 13, 2021
Office of the City Planner
Regarding the Need for a Traffic/Speed Study at the Intersection of West Main Street and S" Avenue.
Mr. Mayor and City Council,
I would like to have City Council discuss approving the submittal of a letter to MDT to study the
intersection of West Main Street and 5"' Avenue. Chief Langve contacted me in the fall to discuss the
need for a traffic and/or speed study at the intersection of West Main Street and 5"' Avenue. Increased
development on the western edge of Laurel and the recent opening of the West Laurel Interchange will
bring increased traffic volume into the city. He would like to see some sort of traffic/speed mitigation to
handle the steady increase in traffic in that area.
Chief Langve and I would like to see this intersection studied by MDT. MDT can conduct a traffic/speed
study of the situation after receiving a letter from the City Council officially stating the request. I would
be happy to draft the text of a letter to provide to MDT on behalf of the City Council. I have also provided
Chief Langve's letter on the situation. Please let me know if you have any questions about this request.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Nicholas Altonaga, CFM
Planning Director
September 30, 2020
To whom it may concern,
I am writing regarding traffic concerns on West Main Street in Laurel, MT. Currently the speed
limit increases from 25 MPH to 35 MPH as you are west bound on West Main Street near the
intersection with 4th Avenue. It then increases to 45 MPH around the 900 Block of West Main
Street.
I am a lifelong resident of Laurel and this has been the speed limit configuration for as long as I
can recall. Both as a resident and a Police Officer, I have noticed many changes in Laurel over
the decades. The City of Laurel is growing as is the area surrounding Laurel. This has meant an
increase in businesses, population density, and vehicle traffic. I have long believed that the 35
MPH speed limit from 4th Avenue to the 900 block of West Main Street was too fast and should
be reduced to 25 MPH out to the west of Wood's Powr -Grip. With the recent improvements of
the West Laurel interchange there will be significant increases to vehicle traffic and development
to the west side of Laurel. In my opinion, this is a change that is decades overdue.
I also support a study to determine the feasibility of making the intersection of West Main Street
and 5th Avenue a 4 -way stop. There is significant traffic that uses the 5"' Avenue crossing due too
refinery traffic and the Laurel South School. With West Main being a through street, it creates a
significant hazard with vehicles and school busses attempting to navigate the increased traffic
flow aggravated by the 35 MPH speed zone. A 4 -way stop would help traffic getting onto and
leaving south 5th Avenue. It would also greatly increase the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians
attempting to cross West Main Street.
These two easily implemented and inexpensive measures could be put into place quickly and
greatly increase the safety of our motoring, bicycling, and pedestrian public.
Respectfully,
Chief Stanley J. Langve